Taco Bell recently combated a traditional attack (a class action lawsuit charging that the restaurant’s meat isn’t really beef) with new media techniques. On Twitter, Taco Bell linked to comedian Steven Colbert’s musings on the controversy; on Facebook, they offered free tacos, encouraging customers to make up their own minds about the beef in question. And while overall sales have taken a hit, its seven million loyal Facebook “friends” are as enthusiastic as ever — and the lawsuit has been dropped.

Instead of trying to be PERFECT on social media, let your hair down and use social media the way it was intended as a true (“authenticate”) way to keep in touch. Your audience will love it and they’ll be loyal to you if you’re honest with them.

You will make less mistakes in using social media if you THINK about what you are posting and TAKE YOUR TIME.